HUNTING DIRECTORY. 225 



Babblers should not be kept 



always upon the watch, and a hare must have good 

 hick to escape them all. The best way to prevent it, is 

 to have the hedge well beaten at some distance before 

 the hounds. 



" Hares seldom rim so well as when they do not know 

 where they are. They run well in a fog, and generally 

 take a good country. If they set oiFdown the wind, they 

 seldom return ; you then cannot push on your hounds 

 too much. When the game is sinking, you will perceive 

 your old hounds get forward ; they then will run at 

 head. 



" Happy the man, who with unrivall'd speed 

 Can pass his fellows, and with pleasure view 

 The struggling pack ; how in the rapid course 

 Alternate they preside, and jostling push 

 To guide the dubious scent ; how giddy youth 

 Oft babbling errs, by wiser age improved ; 

 How, niggard of his strength, the wise old hound 

 Hangs in the rear, till some important point 

 Rouse all his diligence, or till the chase 

 Sinking he finds j then to tlie head he springs, 

 With thirst of glory fired, and wins the prize." 



SoMEKVILE. 



Keep no babblers ; for though the rest of the pack 

 soon find them out, and do not mind them, yet it is un- 

 pleasant to hear their noise ; nor are such fit companions 

 for the rest. 



" Keep no hound that runs false : the loss of one hare 

 is more than such a dog is worth. 



"It is too much the custom, first to ride over a dog, 

 and then cry 'ware horse/ Take care not to ride over 

 your hoimds : I have known many a good dog spoiled ])y 



